The Connecticut Distance Learning Consortium (CTDLC), a division of Charter Oak State College and a member of the Connecticut Board of Regents of Higher Education, recently completed development of a series of online courses offered in American Sign Language (ASL) by the Connecticut Bureau of Rehabilitation Services (BRS), a division of the Department of Rehabilitation Services (DORS). The courses were to provide training and information to members of the Deaf community served by the Connecticut Bureau of Rehabilitation Services (BRS) or those for whom ASL is their first language.

"BRS provides vocational services to Connecticut residents with disabilities to help them prepare for, obtain and maintain employment. Services may include benefits counseling, assistive technology, interview preparedness, on the job supports and much more," said Arlene Lugo, project manager, Distance Learning Initiative, Bureau of Rehabilitation Services. "Working with CTDLC to translate courses into ASL has allowed us to reach Deaf Connecticut residents who may benefit from our services in a meaningful way."

BRS and CTDLC have long partnered together to develop, design and launch more than 50 online courses focused on topics of importance to job seekers with disabilities such as benefits, independent living, job readiness, personal finance, on the job training, and more.

According to Kevin Corcoran, executive director, CTDLC, "Working with an innovative client like BRS to create online learning that has a positive impact on underserved communities is an important part of our mission. We take great pride in developing quality online courses that meet the needs of our clients and their users."

Over the next two years, BRS and CTDLC will continue to work together to expand the library of available online courses offered in ASL, which are part of the Connect-Ability Distance Learning Initiative. Courses offered in ASL, English and Spanish are free to the public. To register for one of these courses, visit: http://elearning.connect-ability.com.

Studio time was donated by the University of Hartford for the filming of these ASL courses.